Archive
Split is the second largest city on the Adriatic Coast and also a good base or starting point if travelling to islands such as Brac or island of Hvar. Apartment rentals are a great way to enjoy a Split vacation. Split apartments and Split beachfront vacation villas can be found in all the most popular [...]
Finding somewhere truly special to stay that whilst travelling is not necessarily something that happens all that often, but the mid-priced Hôtel Mandé is definitely one such spot. Even though it is neither the best placed or the most luxurious accommodation option in the city, spending time at the delightful establishment was a real pleasure, [...]
If you plan to go for a Tuaregcamp by camel make sure the ride is not too long. I’ve had a two hour ride, and it’s more than enough. Camels are very moody, and the seats are very hard. The view from these ships of the desert is very good. At two meters above [...]
Without any doubt, many of Mali’s most attractive and interesting edifices are mosques constructed in the unique Sahel style. Unfortunately, the majority of such buildings in the country are frustratingly not accessible by non-Muslims. Therefore, it was a great feeling to find out that visiting one of Timbuktu’s historic old places of worship was possible, [...]
f you like to go to the cinema to see the latest films, there are a number of cinemas dotted around Bamako of varying degrees of comfort. Last week we went to see the new Harry Potter at the Babemba cinema here in Bamako. This cinema is a good option if you want to see [...]
Mudcloth, or bogolan, refers to a type of rough-woven cotton fabric that has been died using a mixture of mud, tree-bark, and other natural ingredients. The rich earth-coloured cloth is then made into blankets, or items of clothing. Mopti and Segou are centres of bogolan production, but it seems somehow appropriate that some excellent quality [...]
In Bamako I had seen people have their feet henna’d for celebrations such as weddings, Tabaski and big fetes, but I had never had it done myself. I was staying in the rural village of Zebala and one day I talked to my American host, Lucia, and mentioned this. She said that she’d always wanted [...]
Gao is a small city (57.000 people), 425 kilometers east of Tombouctou. By car it will take you two days to get there from Tombouctou. After days of sand and dust, arriving in Gao is very special. Suddenly you are in a real city again with a lot of people and even fresh food. From [...]
Well, to be honest, the first couple of times I visited these markets I hated it. I thought it was hot, dirty, disorganised, and at times disorientating. I couldn’t find half the things I was looking for and assumed that everyone who offered to help was involved in a scam of some sort. There were [...]
Imagine a riot of colours and aromas. Street calls, and a jovial atmosphere. That’s Medina Coura Market. You won’t find this in the tourist books but this is the real Bamako.
You’ll also find amazing prices for wonderful fabrics. Do I sound enthusiastic? Well, believe me, this is one of my favourite places, not just [...]